_Resolved_, That two Chaplains, of different denominations, be appointed
to Congress during the present session, one by each house, who shall
interchange weekly.
_Ordered_, That the Secretary desire the concurrence of the House of
Representatives in this resolution.
A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that a
quorum of the House of Representatives is assembled, and have elected
JOSEPH B. VARNUM, one of the Representatives for Massachusetts, their
Speaker, and are ready to proceed to business. They have appointed a
committee on their part, jointly with the committee appointed on the part
of the Senate, to wait on the President of the United States, and notify
him that a quorum of the two Houses is assembled, and ready to receive
any communications that he may be pleased to make to them.
The Senate adjourned to 11 o’clock to-morrow morning.
TUESDAY, October 27.
Mr. ANDERSON reported, from the joint committee, that they had waited
on the President of the United States, agreeably to the resolution of
yesterday, and that the President informed the committee that he would
make a communication to the two Houses this day, at 12 o’clock.
_President’s Annual Message._
The following Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES:
_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States_:
Circumstances, fellow-citizens, which seriously threatened the
peace of our country, have made it a duty to convene you at an
earlier period than usual. The love of peace, so much cherished
in the bosoms of our citizens, which has so long guided the
proceedings of their public councils, and induced forbearance
under so many wrongs, may not ensure our continuance in the
quiet pursuits of industry. The many injuries and depredations
committed on our commerce and navigation upon the high seas for
years past, the successive innovations on those principles of
public law which have been established by the reason and usage
of nations as the rule of their intercourse, and the umpire and
security of their rights and peace, and all the circumstances
which induced the extraordinary mission to London, are already
known to you. The instructions given to our Ministers were
framed in the sincerest spirit of amity and moderation. They
accordingly proceeded, in conformity therewith, to propose
arrangements which might embrace and settle all the points
in difference between us, which might bring us to a mutual
understanding on our neutral and national rights, and provide
for a commercial intercourse on conditions of some equality.
After long and fruitless endeavors to effect the purposes of
their mission, and to obtain arrangements within the limits
of their instructions, they concluded to sign such as could
be obtained, and to send them for consideration, candidly
declaring to their other negotiators at the same time that
they were acting against their instructions, and that their
Government therefore could not be pledged for ratification.
Some of the articles proposed might have been admitted
on a principle of compromise, but others were too highly
disadvantageous; and no sufficient provision was made against
the principal source of the irritations and collisions which
were constantly endangering the peace of the two nations. The
question, therefore, whether a treaty should be accepted in
that form, could have admitted but of one decision, even had
no declarations of the other party impaired our confidence
in it. Still anxious not to close the door against friendly
adjustment, new modifications were framed, and further
concessions authorized than could before have been supposed
necessary; and our Ministers were instructed to resume their
negotiations on these grounds. On this new reference to
amicable discussion we were reposing in confidence, when, on
the 22d day of June last, by a formal order from a British
Admiral, the frigate Chesapeake, leaving her port for a distant
service, was attacked by one of those vessels which had been
lying in our harbors under the indulgences of hospitality,
was disabled from proceeding, had several of her crew killed,
and four taken away. On this outrage no commentaries are
necessary. Its character has been pronounced by the indignant
voice of our citizens with an emphasis and unanimity never
exceeded. I immediately, by proclamation, interdicted our
harbors and waters to all British armed vessels, forbade
intercourse with them; and, uncertain how far hostilities were
intended, and the town of Norfolk, indeed, being threatened
with immediate attack, a sufficient force was ordered for
the protection of that place, and such other preparations
commenced and pursued as the prospect rendered proper. An armed
vessel of the United States was despatched with instructions
to our Ministers at London to call on that Government for the
satisfaction and security required by the outrage. A very
short interval ought now to bring the answer, which shall be
communicated to you as soon as received; then, also, or as soon
after as the public interests shall be found to admit, the
unratified treaty and proceedings relative to it, shall be made
known to you.
The aggression thus begun has been continued on the part of the
British commanders, by remaining within our waters in defiance
of the authority of the country, by habitual violations of
its jurisdiction, and, at length, by putting to death one of
the persons whom they had forcibly taken from on board the
Chesapeake. These aggravations necessarily lead to the policy
either of never admitting an armed vessel into our harbors,
or of maintaining in every harbor such an armed force as may
constrain obedience to the laws, and protect the lives and
property of our citizens against their armed guests. But the
expense of such a standing force, and its inconsistence with
our principles, dispense with those courtesies which would
necessarily call for it, and leave us equally free to exclude
the navy as we are the army of a foreign power from entering
our limits.
To former violations of maritime rights another is now added
of very extensive effect. The Government of that nation has
issued an order interdicting all trade by neutrals between
ports not in amity with them. And being now at war with nearly
every nation on the Atlantic and Mediterranean seas, our
vessels are required to sacrifice their cargoes at the first
port they touch, or to return home without the benefit of going
to any other market. Under this new law of the ocean, our
trade on the Mediterranean has been swept away by seizures and
condemnations, and that in other seas is threatened with the
same fate.
Among our Indian neighbors in the North-western quarter, some
fermentation was observed soon after the late occurrences,
threatening the continuance of our peace. Messages were said
to be interchanged, and tokens to be passing, which usually
denote a state of restlessness among them, and the character
of the agitators pointed to the sources of excitement.
Measures were immediately taken for providing against that
danger; instructions were given to require explanations, and,
with assurances of our continued friendship, to admonish the
tribes to remain quiet at home, taking no part in quarrels not
belonging to them. As far as we are yet informed, the tribes
in our vicinity, who are most advanced in the pursuits of
industry, are sincerely disposed to adhere to their friendship
with us, and to their peace with all others. While those more
remote do not present appearances sufficiently quiet to justify
the intermission of military precaution on our part.
The great tribes on our South-western quarter, much advanced
beyond the others in agriculture and household arts, appear
tranquil, and identifying their views with ours, in proportion
to their advancement. With the whole of these people, in every
quarter, I shall continue to inculcate peace and friendship
with all their neighbors, and perseverance in those occupations
and pursuits which will best promote their own well-being.
The appropriations of the last session for the defence of our
seaport towns and harbors, were made under expectation that a
continuance of our peace would permit us to proceed in that
work according to our convenience. It has been thought better
to apply the sums then given toward the defence of New York,
Charleston, and New Orleans, chiefly, as most open and most
likely first to need protection, and to leave places less
immediately in danger to the provisions of the present session.
The gunboats, too, already provided, have, on a like principle,
been chiefly assigned to New York, New Orleans, and the
Chesapeake. Whether our movable force on the water, so
material in aid of the defensive works on the land, should be
augmented in this or any other form, is left to the wisdom of
the Legislature. For the purpose of manning these vessels, in
sudden attacks on our harbors, it is a matter of consideration
whether the seamen of the United States may not justly be
formed into a special militia, to be called on for tours of
duty in defence of the harbors where they shall happen to be;
the ordinary militia of the place furnishing that portion which
may consist of landsmen.
I informed Congress at their last session of the enterprises
against the public peace, which were believed to be in
preparation by Aaron Burr and his associates, of the measures
taken to defeat them, and to bring the offenders to justice.
Their enterprises were happily defeated by the patriotic
exertions of the militia whenever called into action, by the
fidelity of the Army and energy of the Commander-in-chief,
in promptly arranging the difficulties presenting themselves
on the Sabine, repairing to meet those arising on the
Mississippi, and dissipating, before their explosion, plots
engendering there. I shall think it my duty to lay before you
the proceedings, and the evidence publicly exhibited on the
arraignment of the principal offenders before the circuit court
of Virginia. You will be enabled to judge whether the defect
was in the testimony, in the law, or in the administration of
the law, and wherever it shall be found, the Legislature alone
can apply or originate the remedy.[50] The framers of our
constitution certainly supposed they had guarded, as well their
Government against destruction by treason, as their citizens
against oppression, under pretence of it; and if these ends are
not attained, it is of importance to inquire by what means more
effectual they may be secured.
The accounts of the receipts of revenue during the year ending
on the thirtieth day of September last, being not yet made up,
a correct statement will be hereafter transmitted from the
Treasury. In the mean time, it is ascertained that the receipts
have amounted to near sixteen millions of dollars, which, with
the five millions and a half in the Treasury at the beginning
of the year, have enabled us, after meeting the current demands
and interest incurred, to pay more than four millions of the
principal of our funded debt. These payments, with those of
the preceding five and a half years, have extinguished of the
funded debt twenty-five millions and a half of dollars, being
the whole which could be paid or purchased within the limits of
the law and of our contracts, and have left us in the Treasury
eight millions and a half of dollars.
Matters of minor importance will be the subjects of future
communications, and nothing shall be wanting on my part which
may give information or despatch to the proceedings of the
Legislature in the exercise of their high duties, and at a
moment so interesting to the public welfare.